Definition of Yoga

Yoga is the Sanskrit term for Yoke or Union, where we as humans are joined or connected to the universal energy that each of us manifests—each of us as a person, plant, animal, or object. Yoga practice is traced to ancient India. Sages studied life and developed an organized approach to being healthy and peaceful. Their written texts of this approach include the Bhagavad Gita, of which there are numerous translations.

The language of the sages was Sanskrit. Sanskrit is a beautiful language, and our videos will include Sanskrit words so you can hear them and learn about them. There are numerous written and audio texts available to help you learn more about Sanskrit.

Yoga practice encompasses moral, physical and breathing practices. There are 8 limbs of yoga practice. In our video, you will hear the pronunciation for each limb.

• Yama These are social ethics, of which there are 5. They are: ahimsa (non-violence),satya (truth),asteya (non-stealing),brahmacharya (using one’s energy for service),and aparigraha (non-hoarding)
• Niyama These are personal ethics, of which there are 5. They are: sauca (purity), santosa (contentment), tapas (heat, or change), svadhyaya (learning about one’s self), and isvarapranidhana (surrendering to a higher energy)
• Asana The postures constitute asana, and are the physical practice with which we are most familiar. There are many methods of asana practice.
• Pranayama Breathing patterns constitute pranayama, (prana = life)
• Pratyahara Withdrawing of the sense to train the mind is pratyahara
• Dharana The ability to maintain one’s focus is dharana
• Dhyana Once dharana is attained, dhyana, meditation, follows
• Samadhi The skillful practice of the first 7 limbs leads to bliss, or samadhi

Throughout our blog, we will address each limb of yoga so we can fully appreciate its application in our daily lives.